USC's recruiting class shores up linebacker corps

Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 12:39 a.m.

South Carolina entered the offseason needing help at linebacker after losing its top four to graduation. USC feels like it took a big step toward filling its biggest need Wednesday afternoon as the Gamecocks signed four linebackers as part of a 21-player class on National Signing Day.

Larenz Bryant, David Johnson, Skai Moore and Jonathan Walton faxed in their national letters of intent and will play for the Gamecocks next season.

Of the four, Bryant was ranked the highest by the recruiting service as he and Moore are both four-star prospects.

Walton and Johnson are listed at three stars.

Bryant and Johnson had committed to the Gamecocks prior to Wednesday, and although Moore and Walton were considered USC leans, neither had made a public announcement prior to Signing Day.

USC recruiting coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. feels like all four will have an opportunity for playing time next season.

“I think we’ve got four or five guys really on that position that are ready and hungry to go play. The guys you recruit are guys that want to play,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday. “When you have a lot of opportunities and you can sign a lot of guys at that position, I think it helps you.”

Walton in particular caught the eye of head coach Steve Spurrier, who acknowledged it was tough holding off Auburn to secure the Alabama native.

“Especially proud of Jonathan Walton, young man from the Mobile, Ala., area that withstood a strong pull from the in‑state school Auburn there to hang on with us,” Spurrier said. “We think he’s going to come in and really help us at linebacker, possibly even this year.”

In addition to the four linebackers, Carolina signed three defensive ends, a defensive tackle, three cornerbacks and two safeties for a total of 13 defensive players. In comparison, the Gamecocks signed just eight players on the offensive side of the ball.

Spurrier said that was the plan entering the recruiting process.

“We signed more defensive players than offense because we had more seniors on last year’s team there,” Spurrier said. “There is a chance a lot of these guys could come in and play this coming year.”

One of the most highly-touted defensive players in the class is defensive tackle Kelsey Griffin. The Georgia native had numerous offers, including Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Tennessee and was ranked as a four-star prospect.

On offense, the line appears to be the strength of the class. USC signed five linemen, with D.J. Park and Na’Ty Rodgers receiving four-star ratings.

Carolina also added speedy four-star running back David Williams from Philadelphia who Spurrier believes has a chance to come in and make an immediate impact.

“We’re high on him. He’s going to come in and have a chance to compete right away. We like Brandon Wilds, Mike Davis, and some other backs that are here, but David should be able to come in and compete for playing time and see how it goes,” Spurrier said.

Of its 21 signees, cornerback Ronnie Martin (Spartanburg), Park and quarterback Connor Mitch were early enrollees and have been on campus since the start of the spring semester.

As a whole, Carolina signed six players from the state of Georgia, four each from Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina and one each from Maryland, Alabama and Pennsylvania.

Spurrier Jr. said signing so many players from out of state was a necessity this season for Carolina to sign the best class possible.

“I think every year it’s different. In our state this year, the numbers weren’t as high as they’ve been in the past, and I think they’re going to be higher next year,” he said. “When that happens, you kind of move on to one of your next closest states.”

<p>South Carolina entered the offseason needing help at linebacker after losing its top four to graduation. USC feels like it took a big step toward filling its biggest need Wednesday afternoon as the Gamecocks signed four linebackers as part of a 21-player class on National Signing Day.</p><p>Larenz Bryant, David Johnson, Skai Moore and Jonathan Walton faxed in their national letters of intent and will play for the Gamecocks next season.</p><p>Of the four, Bryant was ranked the highest by the recruiting service as he and Moore are both four-star prospects. </p><p>Walton and Johnson are listed at three stars.</p><p>Bryant and Johnson had committed to the Gamecocks prior to Wednesday, and although Moore and Walton were considered USC leans, neither had made a public announcement prior to Signing Day.</p><p>USC recruiting coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. feels like all four will have an opportunity for playing time next season.</p><p>“I think we've got four or five guys really on that position that are ready and hungry to go play. The guys you recruit are guys that want to play,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday. “When you have a lot of opportunities and you can sign a lot of guys at that position, I think it helps you.”</p><p>Walton in particular caught the eye of head coach Steve Spurrier, who acknowledged it was tough holding off Auburn to secure the Alabama native.</p><p>“Especially proud of Jonathan Walton, young man from the Mobile, Ala., area that withstood a strong pull from the in‑state school Auburn there to hang on with us,” Spurrier said. “We think he's going to come in and really help us at linebacker, possibly even this year.”</p><p>In addition to the four linebackers, Carolina signed three defensive ends, a defensive tackle, three cornerbacks and two safeties for a total of 13 defensive players. In comparison, the Gamecocks signed just eight players on the offensive side of the ball.</p><p>Spurrier said that was the plan entering the recruiting process.</p><p>“We signed more defensive players than offense because we had more seniors on last year's team there,” Spurrier said. “There is a chance a lot of these guys could come in and play this coming year.”</p><p>One of the most highly-touted defensive players in the class is defensive tackle Kelsey Griffin. The Georgia native had numerous offers, including Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Tennessee and was ranked as a four-star prospect.</p><p>On offense, the line appears to be the strength of the class. USC signed five linemen, with D.J. Park and Na'Ty Rodgers receiving four-star ratings.</p><p>Carolina also added speedy four-star running back David Williams from Philadelphia who Spurrier believes has a chance to come in and make an immediate impact.</p><p>“We're high on him. He's going to come in and have a chance to compete right away. We like Brandon Wilds, Mike Davis, and some other backs that are here, but David should be able to come in and compete for playing time and see how it goes,” Spurrier said.</p><p>Of its 21 signees, cornerback Ronnie Martin (Spartanburg), Park and quarterback Connor Mitch were early enrollees and have been on campus since the start of the spring semester.</p><p>Carolina's class was ranked No. 16 by Rivals.com, No. 21 by 247sports.com and No. 17 by ESPN.com.</p><p>As a whole, Carolina signed six players from the state of Georgia, four each from Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina and one each from Maryland, Alabama and Pennsylvania. </p><p>Spurrier Jr. said signing so many players from out of state was a necessity this season for Carolina to sign the best class possible.</p><p>“I think every year it's different. In our state this year, the numbers weren't as high as they've been in the past, and I think they're going to be higher next year,” he said. “When that happens, you kind of move on to one of your next closest states.”</p>